Is the above city a hick town or an upscale suburb?

Hick town/wanna-be upscale. The most dangerous kind.
Why?

There would be no reason to ever visit this city. Pretty much hick, with some mid size problems thrown in.

Owned and operated by Ernest and Julio Gallo. Why?

I should have written "Oh Lord, stuck in ol' Modesto again" instead of Lodi.

"Mo'town"!

Ben,
I assume you are asking because you are considering moving there. This is speculation, but if the reason is to live in a more affordable area and commute to the Bay Area for work, prepare yourself to live on the freeway for many hours each day. There will be intense heat (dusty, sometimes with agricultural smells) all summer and periods of thick tule fog during the dead of winter (sometimes won't lift for weeks at a time). It's not a bad town, and I do prefer it over Stockton, but it is kind of like living in the Midwest -- just that it is in California. It is for sure in the heart of California. Good things I can think of: friendly people, convenient for weekend getaways to Yosemite, Sierra and foothills, lots of farm/orchard-fresh produce, fairly affordable housing (but rapidly increasing during last few years). I would not consider Modesto as either a hick town or a suburb -- it is a stand alone small city of about 180,000+. The city has a website that maybe can answer general questions you might have.

Modesto is great when you're ripping down 99 on your way to somewhere else and need to get something cool to drink. Lots of convenient off ramps to fast food places.

here are three words to describe Modesto...flat, dry, agriculture..make it four...Boring!!

TTT

WARNING! Orginal post was written in 2001!
#-o

Utahtea